Kyle Bosworth (51) grabs teammate Jacob Cutrera during drills at an OTA session earlier this year. Both Bosworth and Cutrera are trying to make the team as free agents.

On a large scale, Jaguars linebacker Russell Allen believes the reason he made an NFL team, and found himself in a position of prominence, is because of the good he could do with it. Because with this platform, he can brighten the days of children at daniel house, a Jacksonville center for orphans and troubled youth, or speak at a local juvenile detention center.

On a literal level, the reason is this: Allen joined a team last summer with a history of keeping undrafted rookies and one that needed what he could offer.

"I was fortunate last year," Allen said. "They gave me a fair look. Really gave me a chance. I made the most of it."

Allen played in all 16 games last season and started five. He's one of 14 undrafted rookies to have made opening-day rosters under coach Jack Del Rio.

In all but one of Del Rio's seven seasons, the Jaguars have had at least one. Last year, Julius Williams also made the opening-day roster. Montell Owens, who made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2006, was a Pro Bowl alternate for special teams in 2009.

"What we work very hard at is providing an opportunity for the undrafteds to have a legitimate shot in our camp," Del Rio said. "I talk to the guys the day they get here, the day we open camp and let them know that we're an organization that's going to evaluate everybody here, and if you're in our camp you have a chance, and it's a real chance."

"Just having the opportunity to be around the players and the type of guys that you're around every day, it's surreal in itself," said Morgan, who has caught the team's eye. "It really makes you work that much harder, because there's a lot of other people that would love to be in your shoes.

"There's a feeling that comes over me very time I step out on the field that just makes me want to be here."

With the team having to cut down to a 53-man rosters and 45 on game days, numbers impact who makes it and who doesn't. For example, the Jaguars have eight running backs/fullbacks and will likely keep five, at most six, thus hindering Kackert's cause.

Other times, the numbers work in a player's favor. Injuries on the defensive line gave Morgan more exposure.

"You really can't look at the depth chart, or the reps you're getting," Allen said. "You just have to take advantage of the reps that you do get."

The art of making it in the NFL is part talent, part timing and part luck. It's why stories of undrafted players succeeding exist.

Recent examples include players like Kurt Warner, who nobody wanted in the 1994 draft, and who made his NFL debut in 1998.

The Chargers signed tight end Antonio Gates after he went undrafted in 2003. He's now a six-time Pro Bowl selection. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo wasn't drafted coming out of Eastern Illinois that year, either, and made his NFL debut a year later.

Allen's ability to play different positions and learn quickly got him noticed by the Jaguars. That, and his poise.

"He wasn't overwhelmed by the fact that he was here," Del Rio said. "Even though he may have felt that way, he didn't appear overwhelmed."

He played in all 16 games last season and started five when Clint Ingram got injured.

This year, Allen is the Jaguars' top backup linebacker.

He has a platform.

And, with the help of a local pastor, Allen realized quickly what he wanted to do with it.

"I just really like being around those kids, showing them somebody does care about them," Allen said. "The kids there have been through tough times obviously. ... I think that's really important."

Allen and his wife, Ali, the two married this March, go to daniel house on Mondays.

During training camp when Russell couldn't go, Ali went for him.

"I told Russell this, I feel like when we go there, we get just as much out of it as the kids do," Ali said. "It's just such a fulfilling thing to go there, go outside and play. Just feel that connection to the kids and know that you're enriching their lives."

In a philosophical sense, to him, it's why he is where he is. In a literal sense, it's because of the same opportunity the undrafted rookies on the Jaguars' roster now have.

People thought a lot of our draft last year was terrible, until Cox lead our team in interceptions and people started talking about Knighton being a pro bowl-kind of player. Why don't you stop hating on the Jaguars and wait to see what these rookies can do. The upside for this team is very very high

Don't tell me drafting Tebow would not have sold out MANY of the Jag's games. Don't tell me Garrard is Better (didn't he have a average career at East Carolina?). Don't tell me taking a projected 2nd or 3rd round pick in the first round (Jags) wasn't a planned move to lower attendance and come up with a reason to MAKE the Jags move. Remember the 1989 baseball movie "Major League" with Charlie Sheen - it is what the Jags are doing - watch it, the analogy is uncanny. The Jags business plan is a B level comedy from the 80's.

bleeding teal cannot understand things like stats, facts, win-loss records. bleeding teal only understands making threats, rude comments, smart (not really) remarks, etc... teal is like a little rude kid all jacked up on candy and soda making no sense and looking very stupid.

If denver is as bad as you say then the jags are the worst because the jags were not even half as good as denver was last year. But do not expect teal the loser that is bleeding from all of the jags loses to understand it, teal only understands things like redneck wrassling.

Wait, what Broncos offense, you guys have not been crap since Elway retired, he still has to come around to inspire you clowns to do something. And if you manage to actually beat us (I seriously doubt this since our offense is going to rock your world) then you will be the beatch of the rest of the AFC West. Chargers and Raiders will take turns on you like a new guy in prison. Seriously you should beat the Chiefs, no promises though.